Tampon



E. c. BROWN Feb; 24, 1953 TAMPON Filed Aug- 2 f 1951 INVENTOR f/ye/ 6. 5/'0/4//7 Patented Feb. 24, 1953 UNITED r`STATES PATENT OFFICE TAMPON Ethel C. Brown, Mission, Kans.

Application August 2, 1951, Serial No. 239,973

6 Claims. l

This invention relates to a catamenialtappllance in the nature of a tampon adapted for positioning in transverse relationship to the vagina orifice to cover the same and including an` elongated body having as a part thereof, a pad of absorbent material for engaging the. folds of integument forming the said orifice when the appliance is in place and adapted for support solely by the labia of the vulva.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide a tampon of the aforementioned character having a coating as a part thereof for supplying the necessary body to the otherwise highly flexible Vpad as an aid inv holding the appliance in place, positioned as above described, and between the labia of the vulva.

Another important object of this invention is to provide in a tampon, an elongatedv body -that includes a pad of absorbent material,r anda trough-like coating for aY portion of the pad, thev coating being imperforatev and impervious tothe flow of menstrual discharge collected by the overlying pad, thereby affording a barrier to leakage from between the said labia.

Another important object of this invention is i to provide a coating that is arcuate in cross-section and having a smaller radius than that of the initially, substantially cylindrical pad to which the coating is applied, whereby the mass of loosely arranged material forming the pad is partially compressed transversely by the coating, and therefore, deformed from the initial cross-sectional form.

A further object of this invention is to provide a trough for the pad of a menstrual tampon that, in addition to having the aforesaid novel characteristics, is also suiciently pliable to assure coverage of the vaginal orifice at all Vtimes b-y intimate engagement with the folds of integument and while the user of theappliance assumes different positions.

Other objects include details of construction, all of which will be made clear or become apparent as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view thro-ugh a tampon made pursuant to the present invention illustrating the same' in position covering the vagina orifice.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, side elevational View of the tampon, parts being broken away and in section for clearness.

Fig. 3 is a transverse, cross-sectional View through the tampon and through the vulva with the tampon in place therewithin; and

. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the tampon itself.

Elongated, catamenial tampons of absorbent material have heretofore been provided, but for the most part, the same have been designed for a contemplated use by insertion into the vaginal cavityA with the expectation that the absorbent material shall receive the menstrual discharge and thereupon be replaced after saturation. Such appliances have the inherent disadvantage ofY being incapable of preventing escape of a portion of the discharge from the vagina, thereby causingV discomfort and soiling of the clothing of the user. Furthermore, such appliances when so inserted, are uncomfortable, difficult and oftentimes painful to apply and remove and tend to cause injury to the delicate membranes forming the vagina walls.

,As will hereinafter appear, the tampon of the present invention is not an insertable appliance, so far ast'ne vaginal cavity is concerned at least, butv is carefully designed for disposition entirely to the outside of the vagina in intersectingrelationship to theoriiice thereof and only between the lips or labia of the external female genital organs. In addition to covering the vagina, the pad of the appliance is adapted to receive the menstrual discharge and, throughA the medium of a novel trough attached to the pad, there is. presented a barrier to leakage of any menstrual discharge that may escape the absorbent pad, particularly after the same becomes saturated.

The tampon hereof is clearly illustrated in the drawing and includes an elongated body broadly designated by the numeral IU, and including a pad l2 and a coating M. The particular cornposition of the pad l2 forms no part of the present invention since the same have heretofore been provided for similar purposes and pads of like composition are readily available on the open market.

` It is contemplated'hereby that the pad I2 be made from a suitable, highly absorbent cottonlike or other fibrous material, arranged in a relatively loose mass. Pad i2 is preferably cylindrical in cross-section prior to application of coating I4.

As is clear in the drawing, the elongated coating l is arcuate in cross-section, somewhat less than a complete semi-circle and of course, Vis produced from a suitable substance having more body than the pad i2. In this respect it is appreciated that pad l2 of itself has little body and is, therefore, rather ilirnsv and bendable. The material forming 'the coating I4 should be selected therefore, to add' body to the pad I2 and while the entire device I should still be readily bendable even after attachment of the coating I4 to the pad I2, body Ill will normally remain in the extended condition shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawing. It is contemplated that a synthetic material be utilized for coating I4 and such material may include many of the well known plastics now available on the market. The necessity of a high degree of pliability, particularly longitudinally in the coating I4, will hereafter become more clear.

In addition to the foregoing characteristics of the material forming the coating I4, such material should be impervious to the flow of menstrual discharge when the tampon is placed in use and accordingly, the coating I4 is imperforate throughout the length thereof.

Further, as is clear in the drawing, the pad I2 and the coating I4, are preferably coeXtensive in length. Theradius of the coating I4 is less than the radius of the initially cylindrical pad I 2 and accordingly, when the pad I2 and coating I4 are joined in the manner shown by Fig. 4 of the drawing, a portion i6 of the pad I2 will be transversely compressed, while portion I8 of pad I2 remains in the expanded, relatively loose condition shown most clearly by Fig. 4 of the drawing. When the pad I2 is thus joined with the coating I4 and secured rigidly thereto through the medium of a suitable adhesive 2S, the two straight, longitudinal edges 22 and 24 of the coating I4 will engage and be in direct line contact with the pad I2 throughout the length of the latter.

Obviously adhesive 2S or other means of aiiixation will become necessary only if the coating I4 comprises an initially composite or homogeneous f'body or unit of a self-sustaining nature or capable of maintaining a predetermined form such as shown in the drawings. If the material of coating I4 is of a nature necessitating spraying, brushing or other application thereof t0 pad I2, such as by dipping of pad I2 into a solution having the aforesaid properties of coating I4, then perhaps adhesive or the like may well be eliminated.

Body Iii is placed in use in the manner illustrated by Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawing wherein the female genital organs are clearly illustrated. Vaginal passage or cavity 26 has its orifice 28 completely covered by the pad I2 through direct engagement of 'the latter with the folds of integument forming the oriiice 28, it being noted in Fig. 1 of the drawing that the body I 0 is disposed in transverse relationship to the orice 28 and with .the longitudinal axis of the body I 0 substantially intersecting the longitudinal aXis of the vaginal cavity 26.

It is contemplated that the en-tire .body I0 be enclosed by the external female genital organs and particularly between the labia 3B and 32 of the vulva. As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, such labia 30-32 completely surround the lbody IB transversely thereof, thereby holding the pad I2 in closing relationship to the orice 28. Pad I2 is therefore, in a position to receive and absorb the menstrual discharge from cavity 26 and the coa-ting I4 presents a trough that overlaps the opening 34 between the proximal edges of the labia 3D32- Accordingly, any menstrual discharge that may escape past pad I2, particularly after the same becomes partially or fully saturated, is retained by the trough I4 and not permitted to escape through that portion of opening 34 spanned by trough I4. By virtue of the fact that portion I8 of the pad I 2 is permitted -to maintain its normal extended condition, such portion I8 will engage the inner walls of the labia 30-32, as well as the passage 26 at orifice 2S and normally prevent secretion of the menstrual discharge toward the opening 34, at least until the pad I2 becomes fully saturated, at which time the member I4 operates to prevent leakage as aforesaid.

The interengagement of pad I2 with the inner walls of the vulva, aided by the natural moistness of such walls, serves to cause pad I2 to cling thereto and in place as shown. Pad I 2 in no way closes the opening 28 nor extends into cavity 26, but remains in position to receive the discharge without injury or discomfort to the wearer in any way.

Furthermore, as above indicated, because of the degree of pliability of the coating I4, as the user tends to take differing positions, body I0 will automatically maintain the contour necessary to keep orice 28 completely covered at all times.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A catamenial tampon comprising an elongated body having a single pad of loosely packed highly absorbent material, and non-elastic reinforcement and stiffening means coated directly on the pad and coextensive in length therewith, said means having a predetermined self-sustaining configuration, rendering the body insertable between the labia of the vulva for sole support thereby with the pad in intersecting, covering relationship to the vagina oriiice.

2. A catamenial tampon comprising an elongated body having a pad of highly absorbent material, and a pliable, non-elastic reinforcement and stiening means coated directly on the pad and coextensive in length therewith, said means having a predetermined self-sustaining configuration, rendering the body insertable between the labia of the vulva for sole support thereby with the pad in intersecting, covering relationship to the vagina orice, said means being impervious to passage of menstrual discharge therethrough.

3. A catamenial tampon comprising an elongated body having a pad of highly absorbent material, and a non-elastic reinforcement and stiflening means secured directly to the pad and coextensive in length therewith, said means having a predetermined self-sustaining conguration, rendering the body insertable between the labia of the vulva for sole support thereby with the pad in intersecting, covering relationship tothe vagina orifice, said means being imperforate and transversely arcuate, presenting a trough-like barrier to the escape from the vulva between said labia of menstrual discharge collected by said pad.

4. A catamenial tampon comprising an elongated body having a pad of highly absorbent material, and coating means secured to the pad and ccextensive in length therewith, rendering the body insertable between the labia of the vulva for sole support thereby with the pad in intersecting, covering relationship' to the vagina orifice, said coating means being imperforate and transversely arcuate, presenting a self-sustaining, troughlike barrier to the escape from the vulva between said labia of menstrual discharge collected by said pad, the longitudinal edges of said coating means being in line contact with the pad throughout the length thereof, said coating means being sufficiently rigid to partially compress the pad within the confines of the coating means.

5. A catamenial tampon comprising an elongated body having a pad of highly absorbent, normally loosely massed material, said pad being initially cylindrical in cross-section; and means secured to the pad and forming a part of said body for rendering the same insertable between the labia of the vulva for sole support and full enclosure thereby, with the pad in intersecting, covering relationship to the vaginal orice in engagement with the folds of integument forming the same, said means including an elongated, imperforate trough, coextensive in length With the pad, said trough being self-sustaining, irnpervious to the escape from the vulva between said labia of menstrual discharge collected by said pad, sufficiently pliable tohold the pad in said covering relationship to the vaginal orifice during normal movements of the user of the body and sufficiently rigid to hold the pad against expansio-n within the trough.

6. A catamenial tampon comprising an elongated body having a pad of highly absorbent, normally loosely massed material, said pad being initially cylindrical in cross-section; means secured tothe pad and forming a part of said body for rendering the same insertable between the labia of the vulva for sole support and full enclosure thereby, with the pad in intersecting, covering relationship to the vaginal orifice in engagement with the folds of integument forming the same, said means including an elongated, imperforate, trough-like coating, coextensive in length With the pad, said coating being impervious to the escape from the vulva between said labia of menstrual discharge collected by said pad and sufficiently pliable to hold the pad in said covering relationship to the vaginal o-riiice during norm-al movements of the user of the body, said coating having an arcuate, transverse contour and a radius less than the normal radius of the pad for holding a portion of the pad partially compressed transversely thereof; and means for securing the coating to the pad.

ETHEL C. BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,005,298 OBrien et al. June 18, 1935 2,328,795 Finks Sept. 7, 1943 2,506,238 Rowe May 2, 1950 

